Sixth Form Success Stories 2025

Sixth

Form Success Stories

stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk

W H AT M A K E S S T J O H N ’ S

Sixth Form Our recent Upper Sixth leavers (Summer 2025) achieved an outstanding set of A level results.

In August 2025, we were pleased to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Upper Sixth, whose dedication and hard work have resulted in excellent A level results.

With 82% of grades A* – B, 95% of this year’s leavers have secured places at their chosen universities, with 85% heading to Russell Group or equivalent universities including four Oxbridge places and the most popular choices being Exeter, Durham, Birmingham and Nottingham. This reflects the consistently strong performance of our Sixth Form and the School’s commitment to academic ambition and high aspirations for every pupil.

A-A *

51%

A-B

EXPERIENCE

We asked our recent Sixth Form leavers the best thing about their Sixth Form experiences...

My highlights included the drama productions I performed in and helped direct, and being a CCF Sergeant.

Alongside the myriad of opportunities and the constant friendly and supportive environment. Jamie Sixth Form was a massive change, but I thoroughly enjoyed the independence and freedom, and doing three subjects which I loved. My teachers were all great, helping me throughout and always giving excellent feedback. Charlotte

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82%

The House staff were always supportive and helpful. My Housemaster phoned me on results day, which was very touching. Also the freedom it brings, and the ability to do prep and revision during study periods.

It meant I had more time in the evenings and weekends for football training and to watch the mighty QPR! Clara

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ISI Inspection May 2022

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE PUPILS SECURED A PLACE AT THEIR FIRST-CHOICE UNIVERSITY

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exceptional The inclusive environment - it allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and tap into the extracurricular opportunities. Eddie

PUPILS’ INDEPENDENT STUDY SKILLS ARE STRONGLY DEVELOPED IN THE SCHOOL AND PUPILS SHOW STEADFAST DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED… THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUPILS’ KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND SKILLS ACROSS ALL AREAS OF LEARNING IS EXCELLENT

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SUCH AN

Although challenging at times, Sixth Form was my favourite part of St John’s. Studying subjects in more depth, having a different dynamic in smaller classes and having more time with my teachers was really valuable. It also gave me a greater sense of freedom and independence, which sparked a sense of maturity as I knew people were trusting me to put the work in and do well for myself. It really helped me grow as a person and I know will help me at university. Theo Additional responsibility - I liked that we were encouraged to make our own decisions and given more freedom by the House team which really helped me integrate into university and life outside school. Amelia The opportunities! So many things....getting the best parts in the productions and being able to perform those with all my friends, being a part of the choir and Schola Cantorum and being a Prefect. As a Prefect I gave an assembly to the whole senior school, led the House in competitions and enjoyed extra privileges. More responsibility - but also way more fun. Sam

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Tom

JJ

JOINED: Lower Sixth (Year 12)

JOINED: Fourth Form (Year 9)

A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A B and EPQ B

A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A*

UNIVERSITY: University of Exeter

UNIVERSITY: University of Oxford

COURSE: Sport and Exercise Science

COURSE: Chemistry

HOW DID YOU FIND THE SIXTH FORM AT ST JOHN’S?

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY AND FIELD OF STUDY?

Honestly, it was the best decision of my life! The friendships I formed and the community I can proudly say I belong to is one that I hold dear, and one that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I chose the subject I loved the most. My chemistry teachers were always so enthusiastic, and their passion really rubbed off on me! I grew to love the science of making things explode and mixing chemicals together to make something useful.

St John’s is an incredible school, with outstanding facilities and teaching; but above all, it is the people who made it so special. It was difficult to say goodbye, but I will definitely stay in touch - and I’m hoping to work at the multi-sport camp again next year!

The Sixth Form team gave me invaluable guidance on which universities would suit me and encouraged me to push myself to apply for Oxford. I ultimately ended up choosing Oxford after the Sixth Form team organised a visit to their open day, and it was everything I wanted in a university!

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR TIME IN HOUSE? The sense of community. Coming from a state school, I’d never really had the chance to experience such a closeknit environment. At St John’s, belonging to a house means belonging to something really special. It fosters incredible relationships, not only with your friends, but also with teachers and matron. Taking part in house competitions gives everyone the chance to express themselves in their own way, whether that’s with a guitar or a rugby ball.

DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? Absolutely! The improvements I made in my rugby over the two years was unlike anything I’d experienced before and gave me momentum towards my dream. My coaches constantly encouraged me, were always open for discussions about the game and listened to my thoughts, which challenged me to look at things in a different way.

HAVE YOU HELD ANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, AND DID YOU ENJOY THEM? Yes - I was fortunate to take on a leadership role in rugby and spent the majority of the Sevens season as Captain, which I loved!

THINKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN THE LOWER SIXTH, HOW DID THE QUAD PROGRAMME HELP YOU? Economics was something I knew little about, and I and was worried that I needed to understand more and be prepared for moving away to university. The financial literacy module gave me a solid starting point - it provided a practical understanding of how to manage my finances when living independently, including loans, mortgages, interest and debt. The political understanding module was equally valuable. It highlighted the importance of using your vote to create change, and I especially appreciated learning how Parliament works and the different political parties.

DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? Yes! I tried shooting for the first time and went on to represent St John’s at many competitions; I am now looking forward to joining both my university rifle team and the Old Johnian rifle team.

I volunteered at the Eagle Community Holiday, a week long residential holiday for children with complex special needs.

It was challenging, but incredibly rewarding, and I plan to volunteer every year.

Another highlight was representing St John’s in the Rotary Debating Competition. Alongside my two teammates, I debated whether or not it is moral to be a billionaire, and we reached the national southern final.

I also took on the role of editor of The Eagle magazine, our pupil-led politics magazine. This led to an invitation to the national Shine Media Awards, where one of our articles was highly commended for ‘Best Scoop’ and the magazine itself was highly commended for ‘Best Overall Content - Digital’, which was an amazing experience.

HAVE YOU HELD ANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND DID YOU ENJOY THEM?

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INSPECTORS NOTED A WARMTH OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PUPILS AND THEIR TEACHERS, WHOSE ENCOURAGEMENT AND SKILFULLY MANAGED CLASS QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS GREATLY CONTRIBUTED TO PUPIL CONFIDENCE AND PROMOTED EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION

Yes - I was honoured to be a House Captain in my Upper Sixth year. I also led the Equality and Diversity Group for two years, which I greatly enjoyed, having joined when I started at St John’s. We organised assemblies, raised money for charity, ran poster campaigns and contributed to PSHE lessons, helping the School community become more aware.

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Esther

Joshua

JOINED: Fourth Form (Year 9)

JOINED: Lower Third (Year 7)

A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A*

A LEVEL RESULTS: A A B and EPQ

UNIVERSITY: Offer from UCL, having a gap year and applying to Oxbridge

UNIVERSITY/APPRENTICESHIP: University of Exeter

COURSE: English Literature

COURSE: Politics and International Relations with a year abroad

HOW DID YOU FIND THE SIXTH FORM AT ST JOHN’S?

HOW DID YOU FIND THE SIXTH FORM AT ST JOHN’S?

I loved the whole Sixth Form experience! Even though I knew many of the same people since Fourth Form, it was during Sixth Form that I built relationships and friendships I believe will last well beyond my university years. It felt very different from my earlier school years, especially as I threw myself into more activities and developed stronger, more collaborative relationships with my teachers.

Moving into Sixth Form was really smooth. The natural progression and warm, welcoming atmosphere made it an easy move up, and it was great to welcome some new faces.

HAVE YOU HELD ANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND DID YOU ENJOY THEM?

I developed a strong interest in politics during A level, which sparked my decision to pursue it further. I chose to combine it with international relations, because I’ve always been intrigued by global affairs. Taking part in various co-curricular activities related to international relations strengthened my passion for the subject.

In Upper Sixth I was the School Prefect for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as for co-curricular activities. I was also a House Prefect. Taking on these roles and giving back to the School community was truly rewarding and memorable, and something I will cherish. The sense of belonging and community spirit in house is something I will always remember.

DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? I was heavily involved with the Performing Arts Department. I performed in most of the musicals and plays and took part in various ensembles, including the School Choir and the Schola Cantorum. Singing and performing have always been passions of mine, and these opportunities really helped me to grow my voice and grow in confidence, reinforcing my desire for a career on stage.

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY AND FIELD OF STUDY?

THINKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN THE LOWER SIXTH, HOW DID THE QUAD PROGRAMME AND YOUR FOURTH OPTION HELP YOU? The Quad Programme helped me build a solid understanding of key life skills, which I know will benefit me in the future. I chose the EPQ, which was especially helpful in developing my research and independent study skills. It complemented my A level subjects and gave me a great foundation for the kind of academic work I’ll encounter at university.

DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? I stayed involved in sport throughout all seven years, which helped me strengthen friendships and feel fully integrated into school life. I also volunteered in care homes and primary schools. This was incredibly rewarding and allowed me to develop empathy and emotional awareness, and I genuinely enjoyed bringing smiles to both the elderly and young children.

HAVE YOU HELD ANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND DID YOU ENJOY THEM? Yes - I was House Captain and also served as a School Prefect. Both roles were highly enjoyable and fulfilling. As a Prefect, I valued the responsibility of supporting younger pupils and acting as a bridge between the pupil body and staff.

Being House Captain was particularly meaningful as it gave me the opportunity to help shape the House environment and develop leadership skills that I know will serve me well in the future.

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PUPILS DEMONSTRATED AN EXCELLENT ABILITY TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES AND COLLABORATE WITH THEIR PEERS, PROVIDING DEEPLY THOUGHTFUL ANSWERS TO HELP DEVELOP THEIR OWN MORAL COMPASS ISI Inspection May 2022 Page 6 | ST JOHN’S SUCCESS STORIES

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Marnie

Tom

JOINED: Lower Third (Year 7)

JOINED: Fourth Form (Year 9)

A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A A and EPQ A

A LEVEL RESULTS: A A C and A for Maths in Context

UNIVERSITY: University of Nottingham

UNIVERSITY: Cardiff University

COURSE: Psychology

COURSE: Accounting and Finance with a professional placement year

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY AND FIELD OF STUDY?

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY AND FIELD OF STUDY?

I chose to study psychology at Nottingham University because I enjoyed it so much at A level. My psychology teachers helped guide me to a university which offered a course that best suited me. Nottingham stood out for me due to the amazing campus, course opportunities and accommodation.

I chose this course through a combination of my varied work experiences in the last two years, the Maths in Context course that I studied as my Fourth Option, and my A level business studies. The Sixth Form team helped me through the UCAS process, and gave me opportunities to attend talks with people working in the sectors that interested me.

THINKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN THE LOWER SIXTH, HOW DID THE QUAD PROGRAMME AND YOUR FOURTH OPTION HELP YOU?

DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S?

I completed an EPQ, which allowed me to research an area that really interested me. The process of creating my final essay and preparing a presentation gave me valuable skills, such as time management and independent research. I was also able to reflect on my extended knowledge in my personal statement.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR TIME IN HOUSE? Some of my favourite moments were in house, which always felt comfortable, supporting and uplifting. I made so many friendships across year groups, especially in boarding where we all came together as a community.

DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S?

Yes - I achieved my Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, competed for the first team in both hockey and tennis, and set up and captained the School badminton team through an undefeated season!

I also spent a lot of time volunteering in the CCF and the Eagle Community Holiday - a week long residential holiday for children with complex special needs - during my summer holiday.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT ST JOHN’S? The incredible range of co-curricular activities, and the support you receive from your teachers. I always felt I could go to any of my teachers to have one to one time, whether to clarify recent topics, review my prep and discuss my progress, particularly during my A level years. They always made time for me.

Yes - I took part in the volunteering conservation trip to Shamwari. It was an unforgettable experience that gave me the opportunity to learn new skills whilst helping restore the wildlife and supporting the local community.

HAVE YOU HELD ANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND DID YOU ENJOY THEM? I was Deputy House Captain and Boarding Prefect. I really enjoyed stepping into these roles, as I loved giving back to my house and being a role model for the younger girls. I particularly enjoyed working with others to help improve the House, and being a friendly face in the boarding community.

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(PUPILS) UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR OWN EFFORTS AND APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THEIR TEACHERS. THEY TAKE PART IN LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES WITH ENTHUSIASM AND ARE KEEN TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE ISI Inspection May 2022 Page 8 | ST JOHN’S SUCCESS STORIES

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Edward

Phoebe

JOINED: Lower Third (Year 7)

JOINED: Lower Third (Year 7)

A LEVEL RESULTS: A* A* A* A

A LEVEL RESULTS: A A A and EPQ A

UNIVERSITY: University of Bristol

APPRENTICESHIP: Apprenticeship at Deloitte, London,

COURSE: Economics

specialising in consulting; throughout the four year programme working across different business areas

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY AND FIELD OF STUDY?

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR APPRENTICESHIP AND FIELD OF STUDY?

I had always been keen to study economics, and the University of Bristol course stood out because it was highly ranked, and had good music opportunities and social life!

I chose this field due to its strong client-facing nature and ever-changing environment. I also knew that I wanted to jump straight into the world of work, building my future by working and gaining real world experience.

THINKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN THE LOWER SIXTH, HOW DID THE QUAD PROGRAMME AND YOUR FOURTH OPTION HELP YOU?

THINKING BACK TO YOUR TIME IN THE LOWER SIXTH, HOW DID YOUR FOURTH OPTION HELP YOU?

I chose further mathematics as a fourth A level, which was vital to making a competitive economics application, and hopefully also useful in securing graduate jobs. The additional provision of the Quad Programme was definitely appreciated and very interesting.

DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? Music played a central role for me. I played both the organ and piano and sang with the choir and Schola Cantorum.

The music opportunities were excellent, including the chance to perform at Cadogan Hall in London. What made it really special for me was the excellent music staff and their enthusiasm and energy. I enjoyed the variety from contemporary music to traditional chapel service performances.

HAVE YOU HELD ANY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND DID YOU ENJOY THEM? Being Deputy House Captain was a great pleasure. It gave me the opportunity to get to know everyone in my house even more, while also building my confidence and developing my leadership and people skills. In addition, being Choir Captain and generally taking on leadership responsibilities within the Music Department had a similar positive benefit, something I took a lot of pride in.

My fourth option was an EPQ on the question ‘Should billionaires be allowed to exist?’. This significantly helped my application for Deloitte and gave me valuable material to draw on during my interview. I was able to demonstrate the skills I learnt and developed and how they would help me succeed in my role.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR TIME IN HOUSE? What I loved most about being in house were the friendships. There was continuous support from all the girls.

Whether we were preparing for a house competition or celebrating the success of each other, we always supported one another. I will cherish the memories I made for life.

DID YOU TAKE ON ANY FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES DURING YOUR TIME AT ST JOHN’S? I certainly made the most of the many opportunities on offer. I was a School Prefect for mental health and well-being, played hockey - playing in the 1st team from Upper Fifth onwards - and also enjoyed netball, swimming and cricket.

Alongside sport, I completed all eight grades of musical theatre! I am so grateful for all of the support given by the staff that allowed me to make the most of these opportunities.

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PUPILS SHOW A HIGH LEVEL OF RESILIENCE TO BE ABLE TO COPE WITH THE COMPLEXITIES OF MODERN SOCIETY ISI Inspection May 2022 Page 10 | ST JOHN’S SUCCESS STORIES

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St John’s School T +44 (0)1372 373000 school@stjohns.surrey.sch.uk stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk

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